Understanding Resistance to Change Through Attachment Theory
Most leaders encounter resistance to change. Fewer understand the psychology behind it. Attachment theory may shape the way people respond to transitions and explain how leaders can better support their teams. On episode 148 of The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp spoke with Victoria Grady, PhD, associate professor of management at George Mason […]
Turning insight into measurable leadership growth
A well-designed 360-degree feedback process builds self-awareness, strengthens leadership impact, and supports performance. The real value, however, is unlocked when feedback is repeated—so progress can be seen, development can be targeted, and behaviour change can be sustained over time. A single 360 captures a moment in time. Repeat 360s create a leadership development cycle—insight, action, […]
Cognitive Ability and Dark‑Side Personality: Insights for Leadership Selection
Why interaction matters in leadership assessment When evaluating leadership potential, cognitive ability and personality are often considered separately: one reflecting how individuals think, the other how they are likely to behave. However, recent research conducted by PBC suggests that leadership effectiveness is shaped not by these factors in isolation, but by how they interact. […]
AI Asks Experts About Personality Psychology
What does artificial intelligence want to know about personality psychology? It’s not electric sheep. We asked ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, to design interview questions about personality psychology for a special AI-driven episode of The Science of Personality. As it so happens, ChatGPT seemed to have an interest in actionable, practical insights. On episode 147 of The Science of Personality, […]
Potential Is Not Performance
The future leadership of your organisation matters. Think about it. Who would be ready to lead if your CEO were to leave? Organisations naturally want their top employees in a high-potential program, but identification processes based on performance aren’t working. You’d think that close to 100% of participants in high-potential programs would be above-average leaders, […]
The Personality of Evil: Authoritarian Leaders and the Dark Side of Personality
The dark side of personality is aptly named. But is there such a thing as an evil personality? During World War II, psychiatrists wondered whether the authoritarian leaders of the Nazi regime shared any personality characteristics that would explain their criminal behaviour. On episode 146 of The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, PhD, and Blake Loepp spoke […]
Avoiding Manager Overwhelm: Large-scale 360 Program Management
Rolling out a 360 feedback process across a large group of leaders can be a powerful way to accelerate development and cultural change, but the logistics can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to managing potentially hundreds of evaluators at a time. One of the most common questions even experienced HR leaders ask is, “How […]
How Overconfidence in Leadership Can Sabotage Success
“You’re wrong. I’m right,” says the boss. Later, when the opposite proves true, the line changes: “Look, that wasn’t my fault.” If you’ve ever worked with a leader who’s unwilling to admit their mistakes or listen to feedback, you’ve seen how overconfident leadership can manifest problems in the workplace. A worst-case scenario is that arrogance […]
Why Uniqueness Matters: Personality and Individuality
Nobody else has your personality. Unique individuality is the concept that no one ever has been, is, or will be precisely like you. It’s also what differentiates human intelligence from artificial intelligence. But uniqueness is more than a feel-good concept. When we measure individuality with personality assessments, we can predict performance, empower behavioural change, and […]
When People Stay but Stop Caring: Retention Issues in a Tougher Economic Environment
When People Stay but Stop Caring: Retention Issues in a Tougher Economic Environment You may have noticed that Raygun – Rachael Gunn, the competitive breakdancer who represented Australia at the Olympics – has returned to the spotlight following her redundancy from a top NSW university. While the public focus has largely been on the individual story, it has also […]
